Samsung Galaxy Note 7 explodes in hands of 6-year old boy

The faulty battery cells of Samsung's Galaxy Note 7 are proving to be a major headache for the company as an increasing number of issues are hitting the mainstream press. Last week Samsung announced a voluntary recall of all Galaxy Note 7 devices as the company was aware of at least 35 incidents in which the handset caught fire and/or exploded.

Samsung urged consumers to stop using the Galaxy Note 7 and over the weekend a story emerged about a six-year old boy from Brooklyn, New York, who was watching videos on a Galaxy Note 7 on Saturday when the device suddenly burst into flames. The incident caused burns to the boy's body, he was taken to a hospital and has since returned home.

Samsung has yet to comment on the incident but has urged anyone with a Galaxy Note 7 to switch it off and return it immediately. Samsung has promised UK customers that new, non-defective handsets will start shipping from 19 September.

"For customers who already have Galaxy Note 7 devices, we now ask that you power down your device and return to using your previous phone. We will voluntarily replace your Galaxy Note 7 device with a new one," Samsung said in a statement.

"Because our customers' safety is an absolute priority at Samsung, we have stopped sales of the Galaxy Note7."

The Inquirer reports rumors are circulating around the web that Samsung may attempt to remotely deactive all defective Galaxy Note 7 handsets by September 30 to avoid more injuries.

In related news, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has urged people not to use Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phones on planes.

FAA Statement on Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Devices https://t.co/NADpT5Jma4 pic.twitter.com/e9uJvNmUUq

— The FAA (@FAANews) 8 september 2016

Financial analysts estimate the Galaxy Note 7 recall will impact Samsung's earnings to the tune of around $1 billion but the damage to Samsung's brand may be a lot bigger. Since the company announced the recall, its market cap on the stock market fell by close to $20 billion.